Keep food safe for tailgating

One of the great things about football season is the tailgating!
To keep tailgating fun and safe, it’s important to keep your food
safe.

Things to keep in mind when you are preparing for tailgating:

Wash your hands, work areas and utensils before working
with perishable food to prevent spreading of bacteria.

Double wrap meats in plastic wrap or bags to prevent contamination
of other foods. If possible, have a separate cooler for meats
and ready to eat foods.

If you do cook the meat before heading to the game, be sure
to cook it in plenty of time to allow it to cool before packing
it in the cooler. It is important to store perishable foods
at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

To assure meat is safe, cook hamburgers and brats to 160
F and chicken breast to 165 F.

Remove meat from the grill to a clean platter to avoid cross
contamination. (If you put it back on the platter that held
the raw meat, bacteria can latch on and grow.)

Pack the cooler with plenty of ice to maintain cool temperatures.
If it is hot outside, transport the cooler inside the car. The
heat of the trunk can make it hard to maintain the proper temperature.

We usually say not to leave perishable food out longer than
two hours to prevent bacteria growth. If the temperature is
around 90 degrees, bacteria grows faster and that time is reduced
to one hour.

Remember that food safety is also important for carry-out
foods. Plan on eating them within two hours after picking them
up.

Follow these guidelines to ensure that everyone enjoys the
game day festivities.